How Does Holden Mature In Catcher In The Rye

Everyone at some point in their life wants to be included or have a place where they belong. It is common for people to shield who they truly are when they feel lost in the world. One will naturally reject or shun ideas and trends of those they do not understand. That is exactly what J.D Salinger manages to exploit in the novel “Catcher in the Rye” through the main character Holden. He is a perfect example of the awkward confusion’s that come with adolescence, expressed through three key ideas: it is not uncommon for one to have a hard time coming to terms with growing up and distancing yourself from one’s traditional behaviours, the desire for independence is a typical feeling during adolescences and one will be faced with new emotions and

what might have been seen as an awful sin when one is a child, they may view that idea or moral completely different as they age. For insistence, Holden sees everyone besides children as ‘phony’. He is extremely closed minded and finds him self as the only non conformer. Since Holden is so biased it holds him back from connecting with the world around him; leaving Holden vary confused towards life. Everyone fits into a category in Holden’s mind, making the world seem quite blunt and empty. That all suddenly changes when Holden goes to New York, he believes that he has everything figured out but what he saw in the hotel next to his really surprised him. “They didn't even bother to pull their shades down. I saw one guy, a gray-haired… you wouldn't believe me if I told you. First he put his suitcase on the bed. Then he took out all these women's clothes, and put them on. Real women's clothes” (61). This is abroad awakening for Holden. His idea of it is either ‘black or white’ has been completely questioned. The idea that this man was doing something that did not fit the business man label puzzled Holden. Holden’s judgement on the man had completely wrong. There’s a side to life now that Holden had never thought of, it makes him question the idea that he is always right. As the novel slowly progress’s so does Holden. He is slowly realizing that the world is completely not what he thought it to be. He discovers there is more to himself as well. Before his trip he had a very bazar mind set, but as each day goes by, he discovers a lot more about him self. Holden eventually expresses that he is depressed. “Anyway, I'm sort of glad they've got the atomic bomb invented. If there's ever another war, I'm going to sit right the hell on top of it. I'll volunteer for it, I swear to God I will.” (141). Holden has gone from a know it all tough guy, to someone who is weak and depressed. After fighting all the dark